Boehm gets his chance

One of the takeaways from Wednesday’s open practice at Memorial Stadium is that 1) Kyle Boehm is still a quarterback and 2) He has a chance to contribute if he keeps developing at that position.

Boehm, now a fourth-year junior for Cal, has persevered through a coaching change and being lost in the shuffle at quarterback. He got a little playing time in 2013, rushing four times for 13 yards, and could get more time on the field this fall in packages designed for him and his running ability.

Boehm ran a number of goal-line plays on Wednesday and they weren’t all runs, either. He had a short touchdown pass to receiver Drake Whitehurst as his highlight.

“He needs to perform well enough for us to come up with a package for him,” coach Sonny Dykes said. “He’s a pretty physical, downhill runner. We want him to develop more as a quarterback … so every time he goes in the game it’s not always a run. It all depends on how much he improves and how comfortable he is running our stuff. If he can do that, we can give him an expanded role.”

Sorry ’bout that: In an earlier post on Wednesday mentioning Cal’s scarcity of seniors, I failed to mention safety Michael Lowe, a fifth-year senior. He’s the top returning tackler from 2013 with 67, to go with five passes defended, two fumbles recovered and one interception.

More important for Lowe, he’s on course to graduate after the fall semester with a degree in legal studies. He may never play in the NFL, but who cares? He’ll have his degree from Berkeley.

“That’s what it was about,” Lowe said, “to have that opportunity that most people don’t get — and for free, at Berkeley.”